Image via Wikipedia

Now Suzuki introduces the TU250. At first glance, it reminds me of a Triumph, but there’s also some 70′s Japanese motorcycle look  in there. Only the looks are retro though. This bike has modern fuel injection that makes it easy to start and increases performance. It also handles well with a great chassis and suspension.

The TU250 is only new to the United States. Suzuki has been selling it in other countries with success for many years.

For beginners, this bike is wonderful if you’re tall enough for a seat height of just over 30 inches. Many will find this much more comfortable than the very low 250cc cruisers. The stand configuration is more stable than cruiser configurations too. It weighs 326 pounds, so it’s quite manageable for most riders.

For experienced riders, you’re not going to get many performance thrills of course. Although it’s fuel injected, it’s a lower compression than some of the sport bike 250′s. The lower compression does indicate a motor that will probably last longer. For commuting, this little motorcycle will do find and the TU250′s mpg is good. I’d like to give you a good number, but with fuel injection on a 250cc motor, the results are going to very wildly. I light rider riding conservatively can expect 75mpg+, but a heavy rider going fast may not see 60mpg.

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Harley Davidson Bar and Shield Logo. Image via Wikipedia

The Early Days Of Harley Davidson

In the early 1900′s, William Harley and Arthur Davidson founded the company in a small garage. Their first motorcycles were bicycles with motors attached to them. They sold a few and won a 15 mile race which started their popularity. Not long after, the company moves to a larger facility, begins to employ people, and dealers are recruited.

The quality and design improved and Harley Davidson started winning races, endurance contests, and contracts with police departments. They even reached an incredible record of over 188 miles per gallon! Economy and their quiet engines were major factors when buyers considered the many competitors that were popping up. By 1910 their iconic V-twin motor design was introduced and the famous bar and shield logo was added. The first decade was a solid foundation that stays with them until this day.

Major Technology Advances And War

In 1911, Harley-Davidson started using the F-Head engine. Valves were a big problem in this era due to the lack of quality metal for the valves. The F-Head allowed for lower quality valves that would last, but the engine lacked performance. These were phased out over time when all riders started demanding high performance engines.

The factory starting growing by adding more space. Models were upgraded with clutch and brake pedals. Transmissions were being upgraded, first with a 2 speed hub, then later with a 3 speed sliding gear transmission. These improvements paid off for the company and our military when World War 1 called for heavy demand of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Production was increased and Harley Davidson also started producing bicycles. In 1919, a new 37 cubic inch motor is introduced with much popularity overseas.

In 1920, Harley Davidson has grown to the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Their race teams are setting speed records and their mascot, a hog, starts the first reference to the Harley Davidson as a “hog”.

Giving Customers What They Want

Harley-Davidson continued to improve and give customers what they wanted. More speed and reliability. In 1922 they introduced the 74 cubic inch motor and added a teardrop shaped fuel tank that sticks with their motorcycles to the current day. In 1926, they even reintroduced some of the other side-valve motors for customers who wanted them. In 1928, then introduce a twin cam motor capable of speeds of over 85 mph, very fast for the day. With all of this speed, they also added front brakes to slow the motorcycle down.

The Harley-Davidson flathead motor is introduced in 1929 and it remained in production all the way until 1973 on some models. There were many advantages to the flathead motor:

• Inexpensive
• Could withstand high rpm’s
• Reliable
• Simple to work on
• Low speed torque
• Ran on low octane fuel.

The flat headmotor was a remarkable achievement for the company and it paid off well over so many years.

The Depression

Harley Davidson survives the next 10 years relying much on simply improving existing products. However, a new 3-wheeled service trike becomes popular amount police departments and service industries. In efforts to boost lagging sales, the company finds that adding stylish paint and other ornamentation gives them a sales edge. By 1931, the only remaining American motorcycle company is Indian, but they still needed to find every possible advantage to keep sales up.

Harley Davidson starts the Japanese motorcycle industry by selling blueprints, tools, and dies to Japanese manufacturers. An ironic twist of history when one considers the competitors of Harley Davidson today.

In 1936, the first Knucklehead engine is produced along with an 80 cubic inch side valve motor. By 1937, a 61 cubic inch motor is breaking previous speed records. In 1941, productions is diverted to the country’s war effort and civilian sales are almost completely stopped.

 World War 2 Boosts Production and Postwar Popularity

After 1941, Harley-Davidson was committed to the war effort. Motorcycles played a major role in transport during war. They were inexpensive to operate, could go anywhere, fast, and used less fuel than Jeeps. Harley Davidson produced more than 60,000 WLA models and numerous other specialty motorcycles in an effort to meet demands by the military.

Returning soldiers had learned about H-D’s great motorcycles during the war. They had worked on them, pushed them to their limits, and knew what to expect from them. They also longed for the thrills that they provided now that the excitement of war had worn off. As the economy picked up, so did the ability for soldiers to buy motorcycles for utility and recreation. The company wasted no time in providing new and improved models to the public.

By 1948, Harley had a vastly improved motor to add to their offerings, the Panhead. This motor had overhead valves, aluminum heads, and hydraulic lifters. Chrome pan shaped valve covers gave the motor it’s nickname. This motor was used in many different lightweight models and was a proven winner on the race track. Improvements were made to the bigger road bikes as well with hydraulic front forks added to the Hydra-Glide models in 1949.

The 50′s Spark Innovation For Sport Models

In 1952, Harley was competing with small British motorcycles that were impressive in their own right. They designed a K model that was smaller with a side valve engine. It was ok, but not a stunning success against the competition. Like many of Harley’s attempts, they turned it into a success later when this turned out to be the forerunner to the Harley Davidson Sportster.

1953 brings their 50th anniversary and many more wins at the race track. They gain major wins at Daytona and gain the spotlight when the young rock star, Elvis Presley, has a promotional photo taken while sitting on a 1956 Model KH. In 1957, they release what will turn out to be one of the best selling motorcycles in history, the Sportster.

In 1958 rear brakes and a hydraulic rear suspension is added to the Duo-Glide. This sets the stage for more luxury and larger motorcycles, but while this is taking place, Harley also ventures into scooters and small motorcycles. In 1960, Harley Davidson makes the Topper scooter and starts a European division called Aermacchi Harley-Davidson that starts making small single cylinder motorcycles for the markets overseas.

Harley Davidson In The 60′s

In 1964, Harley Davidson starts one of it’s most forgotten popular sellers, the 3-wheeled Servicar. It was a great way for business, police, and anyone else who needed an economical transport and room to carry some cargo. It was even popular with the ice cream man. It had Harley-Davidson’s first electric starter.

Harley Davidson hadn’t forgot their motorcycle touring enthusiast. In 1965 the Electra-Glide replaced the Duo-Glad with many updates, including an electric start. In 1966, the leap forward was made with the introduction of the Panhead motor’s replacement, the Shovelhead. The Shovelhead went through some changes, but the basic motor stayed in production until 1984.

In 1969, AMF(American Machine And Foundry) bought Harley-Davidson.

Harley Davidson’s AMF Years.

In 1970, a 16 ft. streamline with a Sportster engine breaks sets a land speed record at just over 265mph. Harley maintains it’s prominence on the flat track, but import motorcycles are starting to take over much of the racing scene. Harley-Davidson’s engine design is no match for the Japanese superbikes.

Harley turns to it’s classic design for custom motorcycles with history and heart. With the success of the FX 1200 Super Glide introduced in 1971, the company builds on the custom look idea. The FXS Low Rider and the FXEF Fab Bob are rolled out and the designs are welcomed by Harley Davidson enthusiasts.

Harley Hits It Big In the 80′s.

The first innovation for the 80′s was a vibration dampening system for the drive train and a new 5 speed transmission. Technology was advancing and they needed to improve the quality of the ride. Also, the chain drive was replaced by a Kevlar belt. This was a huge improvement that reduced maintenance costs and aggravation in general. The “Wide Glide” was introduced in 1980 as well. After these advancements, senior management stated that they intended to buy out the company from AMF to break free of AMF’s rule.

Soon after Harley Davidson’s break from AMF, the Sportser was redesigned in 1982. The rubber mounted drive train and a new welded and stamped frame was added to greatly improve the Sportster’s quality. Harley also ads improvement to their manufacturing processes that streamline their production by ordering materials only as needed. This created large reductions in production cost and added quality to their products.

Japanese motorcycles are providing fierce competition for Harley-Davidson in the 80′s. They’re not only producing very high quality and low cost bikes, but they’re starting to copy Harley-Davidson’s “cruiser” style. The U.S. government agreed to place high tariff’s on Japanese imports and Harley formed The Harley Owner’s Group(H.O.G) to create a more competitive marketplace.

With a fair marketplace and a growing commitment to quality, more innovations needed to be added as the Japanese continued to improve the technology used in their motorcycles. Harley-Davidson introduced a new Evo V-twin motor that retained their heritage in the V-Twin market, but improved their motorcycle. The Evo motor had lower vibration, more power, didn’t leak oil, and ran cooler. It changed the minds of many riders about Harley’s quality.

New models were designed and produced and their styling was highly desirable. Shocks were hidden in the Softail models and the Springer reintroduced the front spring design for a beautiful retro look. With these impressive and unique developments, investors saw new promise in the company and trading began on stock in the company. H-D discovered that combining quality motorcycles, corporate funding, and incorporating their long history into their company was providing suprisingly good results.

Easy Ride For Harley Davidson In The 90′s.

The corporate model set up in the 80′s paved the way for an easy trip in the 1990′s. Much of the decade was spent designing new models and improving the facilities where they were built. in 1990, a paint facility was started in York, PA and the new Fat Boy model was an instant success. The following year, the Dyna Glide starts the successful “Dyna” line of motorcycles.

1993 brings the 9oth Anniversary and the start of the Buell partnership that will create a line of sport motorcycles that will use the 883 and 12oocc motorcycle engine. This partnership lasted until 2009 when the lack of demand for the motorcycle and a national recession prompted Harley Davidson and Eric Buell to cease production.

In 1994, the Road King was introduced and proved to be one of the more popular models. In 1995, the Electra-Glide is the first Harley Davidson to use sequential port fuel injection. Massive changes in warehousing and parts distribution are implemented and in 1997, a new plant is added in Kansas City to produce Sportsters. In 1999, the new Twin-came 88 engine is added to the Touring and Dyna families of bikes. For the first time in history, production begins at an overseas plant in Brazil.

More good times for most of the 2000′s

Harley-Davidson entered 2000 with some exciting changes. A new 88 inch motor with a counter-balanced engine to reduce vibration and in 2001, fuel injection was added to the Softail line. Also, the 1 cylinder entry-level Buell Blast was an instant hit and  pulled many new riders into fans of Harley. Buell also begins to make a name for itself on the race track and among the sport motorcycle crowd.

Vast improvements with rubber motor mounts, suspensions, handlebars, and overall design keep new customers coming to Harley and old ones returning. TV shows about choppers keep the excitement and enthusiasm going. In 2006, sales even begin in China for the first time. All was going well and the company was doing everything they could to please their customers, but then in 2007 the Great Recession began to take hold.

Harley’s momentum had been gained by drawing in the luxury crowed. For many, the motorcycle was nice, but not a necessity. As many lost their jobs or experienced reductions in income, they began to sell their motorcycle and stop buying new ones. The company’s plan is in the process of changing. Efforts to bring more women to the motorcycling sport were increased. Plants were streamlined for lower production. By 2009, Harley had announced plans for production in India. The days of Harley Davidson being an “American” company are now in question.

In Conclusion

The next decade for Harley Davidson will be an interesting one. Slow economies never stopped them before and now they have more technological advances than ever before. We can look forward to more from this fine motorcycle company, but it won’t be more of the same. There are those that have doubted many things about the company, but their history is extraordinary. So much so, that it’s a major selling point of their motorcycles. For all of us riders, I hope their future proves to be just as extraordinary.

Image by Footprints via Flickr

The Vrod produces approximately 115 horsepower in it’s stock configuration and there aftermarket kits that can boost that much higher. This motor will keep a heavy pull of acceleration well into the triple digits and it will get their fast. It’s rated at 87 lbs. of torque. The Vrod’s mpg is rated at 37 mpg, but this decreases dramatically when spirited riding techniques are used. Premium gasoline is recommended. The motor has 11.5:1 compression with a 76.28 inch displacement.

The brakes are dual caliper front disk with single caliper rear disks. The bike can do a 32 degree lean on either side. The front has a 34 degree rake and the wheelbase is 67 inches. The front tire is a 120/70ZR-19 60W and the rear is a 240/40R-18 79V.

The Vrod is a great bike for those that love performance and do not need a long range comfortable bike. Of course, there are ways to add a comfortable seat and luggage, but the bike is still not made for long days of motorcycle touring. The cost of operating a Vrod will be high. The tires and insurance alone are expensive. Don’t let it’s $15,000 price tag fool you. Check the maintenance costs before you buy.

Another aspect of the Vrod specs that you may want to consider is the opinion of other Harley riders. Some don’t even consider the Vrod a “real” Harley. Very little about the Vrod follows the time honored traditions of Harley Davidson. The bike is meant to attract younger riders and they’ve strayed from the air-cooled v-twin in order to gain the performance edge. Don’t expect other riders to be awe-inspired by your choice of motorcycle. For many motorcycle buyers, it’s not about raw performance.

If you’re buying a used Vrod, the opinion that it’s not a “real” Harley Davidson can play in your favor. This opinion keeps the price of a Vrod low! Many buyers bought a Vrod new, but then found that the looks and performance that attracted them to it were just a little to much. It’s possible to find a used Vrod that’s in excellent condition with low miles. Buying a used Vrod is much like buying a Sportster. Don’t expect a huge savings over new, but do look for many add-ons.

Having a motorcycle trailer is a great help. When a motorcycle breaks down, whether it be your own or that of a friend, there is no need to call a wrecker. Money saved and reduced risk of damage due to improper towing by a wrecker service. With towing fees of over $100 depending on the trip, it doesn’t take long for a motorcycle trailer to pay for itself. A trailer can also get riders in cold states out of the cold and down to warmer areas in the winter. This saves on shipping charges that sometimes can cause a rider to forego some of the best motorcycle events.

The problem with most motorcycle trailers is that they take up a huge amount of space. It’s one parking space gone. There’s always the choice to leave the trailer somewhere until it’s needed, but maintenance is easily forgotten on a trailer that’s not close to home. How many trailers have you seen on the side of the road with burnt up bearings and flat tires? These problems are nearly always caused by improper maintenance on the trailer. With a folding motorcycle trailer, it’s at your home and easy to keep maintained.

Regular motorcycles also cost considerably more than a folding trailer too. Used regular trailers can be found for less, but good luck finding one that’s been properly maintained and you still have the storage problem. Many smaller vehicles cannot tow the weight of a regular trailer and a motorcycle, but the folding models are light enough that all but the smallest vehicles can tow them. Another advantage is that folding trailers are so light that towing vehicle’s gas mileage does not decrease any significant amount. Regular trailers, even empty can easily take of 5mpg which really ads up on a long trip.

Some added costs should be considered. A trailer hitch is required. This is a job best done by professionals. The holes that need to be drilled in the frame require a large and expensive drill that most people do not have. The cost of renting the drill is usually close to the installation charge. The towing vehicle also needs to have a connector wired for the trailer lights. There is minimal protection for the motorcycle, so a good cover should be used to prevent any road debris from damaging the motorcycle.

Customized Sportster Image via Wikipedia

The classic Harley-Davidson Sportster is one of the most under-rated motorcycles. It’s an “entry-level” Harley-Davidson that has easily survived since 1952 due to it’s price, style, and versatility. Once Harley-Davidson reached a point where it was considered a status symbol, well, an entry-level status symbol isn’t going to cut it. Many started calling it “The Girl’s Bike” and claiming that it wasn’t a real Harley. Not a real Harley? It’s one of their best sellers and plays a major role in attracting many riders to the brand and it’s a great performing motorcycle. If it wasn’t a real Harley, I wouldn’t want a real Harley.

So is it the best ride for you? Here are some of the good things about the Sportster, some many other Harley riders prefer not to discuss.

• It’s inexpensive and it’s still a Harley-Davidson. You get the same rumble and roar with the added benefit of a great handling motorcycle that with a few modifications, can be a comfortable touring machine.
• It’s easy to modify. Like all Harley-Davidsons, there is a huge aftermarket for them. Different exhaust, seats, handlebars, luggage, etc. are all easy to find. Even high performance modifications for the engine are easy.
• They last like a Harley-Davidson. Sure, they break more often that foreign motorcycles, but they are easy to rebuild and repair. It’s not unheard of to find owners with 500,000 miles or more on one.
• They hold their value too. Just like the big bikes, it’s never difficult to find a buyer willing to pay close to new purchase price for a Sportster that is well cared for.
• The Harley Davidson rumble. It’s got it.
• The only Harley that will work for new riders. It’s still not a great starter bike, but if one must have a Harley, they are well-balanced and lighter weight.

The Sportster may not be a good bike for the following reasons:

• Double up riding for larger people is tough. The Sportster simply doesn’t have the weight capacity or the frame design for a touring couple that has any size to them.
• It’s not a smooth ride. Not horrible, but not as smooth as many of it’s lower priced competitors.
• Not the best for very tall people. Sit on one and try it out for size.
• Status. Sportsters only offer a little. I admire them, other sensible riders admire them, but people that paid double or triple for that Harley name, not so much.

There are literally thousands of combinations available from Harley-Davidson. There are 2 different engine sizes, the 883 and the 1200. They are the same engine block, but the bore and stroke is different. No other motorcycle allows for this level of customization and much of it can be done with only moderate mechanical skills. Simply adding custom Sportster saddlebags can turn it into a nice touring bike that’s also great for running errands.

The Sportster is one of those motorcycles that a potential rider knows they’ll like as soon as they sit on one. Harley Dealers love to show them off and free test rides are common.

My problem with the Ural is that I want one bad, but can’t justify the cost yet. Motorcycles are simply to much enjoyment in and of themselves. Add a sidecar and it changes everything. A Gear-Up simply isn’t going to cut it for a long distance bike. I’ve seen them on the highway and they struggle at high speeds.

What i would like a Ural for is it’s on/off road capabilities. An ATV is a serious purchase and you can only use it off-road. I don’t have land to enjoy one on, so that means I’d have to trailer it(another cost) everytime I wanted to ride it to one of the many miles of great trails in the area. There’s no need for all of this with a Ural and it can transport 3 people.

Why not just buy an on/off road bike for the trails? Camping gear is tough to carry on them and they too fall shy on performance on the road.

The other plus about the Ural is that it’s probably the last vehicle sold in the U.S. that is not a complicated nightmare to work on. This thing is simple, but this is also a shortcoming. Because the engine is so simple, it is severely lacking power.

Sadly, the people that would enjoy one of these most, probably don’t even know they’re out there. The Ural answers many of the reasons that some do not ride motorcycles: I can’t carry anything on it, the insurance is to high(it’s cheap for a Ural), health issues make it tough for me to handle a motorcycle, etc. These people don’t follow motorcycles close enough to even know that the Ural exists.

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Screaming Eagle Harley Davidson Electra Glide

This is Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle Edition Electra Glide. With the economy like it is, the price of these could change, but they generally hover around $45,000. These bikes are upgraded in nearly every way. The best paint, the highest performance engine parts, best seat, best handlebars, and I could go on. These CVO models are designed to be exactly what a rider wants with only slight modifications to personal taste after the initial purchase. They are custom bikes that come right from the dealer.

So are they worth the extra expense? Generally, yes. If you want all of the features, buying them all in one purchase saves the rider the time and trouble of getting them done afterwards at the shop. Since all of the parts are installed by the manufacturer, they are part of the warranty too. The day you purchase a bike like this, you have a new motorcycle with the highest performance possible right out of the door. The company that designs the bike has ensured that these upgrades work seamlessly with the motorcycle too. There is no guessing which part you should add on.

Screaming Eagle Harley Davidson Electra Glide Engine.

Only Harley Davidson puts the effort into producing motorcycles of this level of quality for their customers. Much research and testing goes into ensuring that these bikes are the absolute best for what they’re designed for. Look at the beauty and detail that is in the engine.

• Aero – classic styling with wide fenders
• Spirit – move or the American “chopper” styling
• Phantom – blacked out cruiser look
• RS – sporty look comparable to a Harley-Davidson Sportster.

As you can see, the Honda engineers easily change the look of the motorcycle easily. The base frame and motor are easily suited to different configurations. There are many custom configurations done after the sale too.

Honda Aero Customized With A Solo Seat Configuration

This simple fender mounted bolt on luggage rack completely changes the look of the Aero. Few motorcycles can have their appearance so easily modified for so little money. It’s something to think about if preferences lean towards $50,000 or more choppers, but your budget is far less. A budget can really stretch far with Shadows and their performance is on par with many larger motorcycles.

Honda CBR250 Photo courtesy of The Adventurous Eye

The Honda’s price is right at $4,000. It’s top speed is 87mph and it gets a reported 57 mpg. Easy riding could make for more even miles per gallon. The Honda uses some advanced technology like fuel injection and a DOHC(dual overhead cam). It is only a single piston engine, but there is a counter balance integrated that stops the usual vibration that a single gives at highway speeds. In true Honda style, they’ve used a 6 speed transmission and water cooling to increase the 250cc motor’s life, even under demanding riding. This is a serious machine for a 250cc starter motorcycle. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a parallel twin. If you’ve never ridden a parallel twin, it’s like revving a very powerful sewing machine motor. They’re that smooth. The Ninja is at that same $4,000 range as the CBR250, but the Ninja is rated at a slightly higher 61 mpg. It’s old school fuel system uses carburetors. In true Kawasaki style, the 250R Ninja is faster with a top speed of 110mph. Again, both great bikes that will perform well. They’re both so close that the choice may only come down to color and style for some.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R Photo courtesy of PekePON

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Victory Vision Touring Motorcycle Image by nwkids via Flickr

The facts on the Victory Motorcycle company have been elusive to me. As an American company, I love the idea of a competitor for Harley Davidson. The truth of the matter is that no company will compete in Harley Davidson’s market without some seriously difficult clout and knowledge about the motorcycle industry. Victory is not going to win customers simply by being an American company. There is much more to Harley Davidson’s loyalty than the fact that they are based in the U.S.A.

It appears that Victory’s plan is to not indulge in over-speculation or over-production. They realize that they’re not going to gain market share without a very slow entry into the market. They’ve already made mistakes years ago when the chrome quickly eroded off of the bikes and they’ve taken steps to improve all areas of quality. These quality improvements have added to their high price to slow entry into the market even further. Through all of this, my number one concern of a company failure has been avoided though. Who wants to find parts for a motorcycle brand that has gone out of business? Considering they’ve recently made the bold move to buy Indian Motorcycle, I think they have plans to continue and that they are profitable enough.

For some, Victory is already considered the best motorcycle and most of them are owners of the Victory Vision. The Vision is a strong competitor for the touring market and it’s one-of-a-kind styling and quality makes it a serious contender. For cruisers, we’re still waiting for someone to make the “best motorcycle” claim.

Victory Jackpot Motorcycle

Victory Cross Roads Motorcycle

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